Dear Landlord…

1. When is the rent due? Paying rent is inevitable, and there is no way to get around it, so be sure to pay it on time to avoid unnecessary late fees. Also, it’s wise to ask the landlord which form of payment is permitted, as well as where it should be sent.

2. What utilities are included in the rent? Cheap places are alluring, but not if you’ll be paying over $100 in utilities every month. Luckily, there are plenty of rentals around Portland that include utility fees in the monthly rent. 

3. How long is the lease? You want to make sure the lease agreement is right for you. If you’re the type of person that moves around a lot, it’s best to scout for a place with a month-to-month lease. If this is the route you decide to take, make sure that you will not have to renew the lease each month.

4. Have there been problems with rodents, pests or mold in the past? Maybe the apartment looks clean, but you can never be too sure. Problems such as pests and mold can be both expensive and dangerous in the long run.

5. What are the neighbors like? In general, how old are the people in the building? Is it quiet? Are there a lot of students? Nothing is worse than bad neighbors, so you’ll want to be nosy and scope the place out before making any commitments.

6. What is the parking situation? The downside of living in a city is finding parking. Make sure to ask if you’ll have assigned parking or street parking, and whether or not you’ll need a permit.

7. How safe is this place? It’s important to verify that all of the locks on both the doors and windows work. Also, if the place is located in an apartment complex, ask the landlord if the main door to the building is secure.

8. How do I request a maintenance repair? You don’t want to have to put up with that noisy fan in the bathroom or the flickering light for long, so make sure the maintenance staff is readily available to help out. How big is the staff? What are their hours?

9. Will modifications be permitted? It’s nice to make a place feel like home by adding some personal touches. Make sure to get the “OK” from the landlord before painting the walls, refinishing the floors or adding a garden in the backyard.

10. How long has the rental company been in business? To save yourself trouble, make sure you’re dealing with qualified, respectable and legitimate people. Try looking online to get feedback about the place you’re looking at to get a feel for how the tenants are treated. Also, if you’re dealing with a company that owns numerous properties, make sure your place is a high-priority.